Roadtrip Nation Education

In 2007, after spending years collecting the stories of people who have made careers out of their passions, Roadtrip Nation

saw a deep, relevant connection between their learnings from the Road and students in the classroom. The need for

exploratory and inspiring student resources became even more acute with the release of the Gates Foundation’s ‘Silent

Epidemic Report,’ a study detailing the severity of America’s dropout crisis, which cited a lack of student engagement as

the key factor contributing to students’ decisions to leave school.

,Q�DQ�HͿRUW�WR�FRPEDW�WKLV�LVVXH�DQG�HQKDQFH�VWXGHQW�FRQQHFWHGQHVV�WR�VFKRRO��5RDGWULS�1DWLRQ�GHYHORSHG�D�SURMHFW�EDVHG�OHDUQLQJ�DQG�FDUHHU�H[SORUDWLRQ�FXUULFXOXP�FDOOHG�7KH�5RDGWULS�1DWLRQ�([SHULHQFH��7KLV�VHOI�GLVFRYHU\�FXUULFXOXP�JXLGHV�students to explore their unique identities and discover pathways aligned with their interests. The three overarching

themes include:

Exposure: Students connect to the Roadtrip Nation Interview Archive, gaining exposure to hundreds of

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Self-Construction:�6WXGHQWV�HQJDJH�LQ�VHOI�UHÁHFWLRQ�DFWLYLWLHV��DQG�H[SORUH�WKH�$UFKLYH�EDVHG�RQ�WKHLU�LQWHUHVWV�and themes that are relevant to their lives.

Hit the Road: 7KH�FXOPLQDWLQJ�SURMHFW�VHQGV�VWXGHQWV�RXW�LQWR�WKH�UHDO�ZRUOG�RQ�WKHLU�RZQ�ORFDO�5RDGWULSV�WR�interview leaders whose interests align with students’ natural interests and aspirations.

8OWLPDWHO\��E\�KHOSLQJ�VWXGHQWV�IRUP�FRQQHFWLRQV�EHWZHHQ�WKHLU�VWXGLHV��LQWHUHVWV��DQG�UHDO�ZRUOG�RSSRUWXQLWLHV��7KH�Roadtrip Nation Experience motivates students to stay engaged in school and focused on their futures.

Roadtrip Nation Impact Report: Executive Summary

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Key Insights and Discoveries from the Report

Insight # Significant Increase in Student Self-Efficacy)RU�DOPRVW�HYHU\�TXHVWLRQ�DGPLQLVWHUHG�RQ�D�ÀQDO�(3,&�survey, Roadtrip Nation students at all three schools

most frequently selected “I can do better” over all

other response options. More Roadtrip Nation students

selected “I can do better” than those not participating

LQ�WKH�SURJUDP��7KLV�ÀQGLQJ�LV�VLJQLÀFDQW�HYLGHQFH�RI�The Roadtrip Nation Experience supporting students’

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Insight # GPA Increase Roadtrip Nation students ended the academic year with

D�KLJKHU�DYHUDJH�*3$�WKDQ�FRPSDULVRQ�VWXGHQWV��DQG�WKH\�LPSURYHG�WKHLU�DYHUDJH�*3$�E\�WZLFH�WKH�UDWH�RI�WKHLU�SHHUV��7KH�DYHUDJH�*3$�RI�5RDGWULS�1DWLRQ�VWXGHQWV�increased from 2.35 to 2.75, compared to a 2.4 to 2.6

LQFUHDVH�LQ�QRQ�SDUWLFLSDWLQJ�VWXGHQWV��7KLV�LQFUHDVH�LQ�DYHUDJH�*3$�LV�LQWHUHVWLQJ��EHFDXVH�WKH�SURJUDP�LWVHOI�GRHV�not focus on academic achievement. The program’s focus

revolves around behaviors, attitudes, and strategies—

“noncognitive” factors that hold a direct positive

relationship to students’ concurrent and future outcomes.

“Ariel Helwani (Roadtrip Nation Leader) was so shy and

that’s exactly how I am... but if he can get through it, then

certainly I can, too.”

Lincoln PLUS student Lincoln PLUS student

´&KHU\O�)RVWHU·V��5RDGWULS�1DWLRQ�/HDGHU��VWRU\�LV�D�OHVVRQ�for my own life—stop going through the motions and be

brave in chasing what I want to do.”

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The Road Ahead

-XVW�DV�3/86�$FDGHP\�VWXGHQWV�LQFUHDVLQJO\�UHVSRQGHG�´,�FDQ�GR�EHWWHUµ�DIWHU�WKHLU�5RDGWULS�1DWLRQ�H[SHULHQFHV��Roadtrip Nation is using the insights of this study to improve, as well. By augmenting areas that foster deeper learning,

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To learn more about Roadtrip Nation’s various educational programs, please visit roadtripnation.org.

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Education Policy Improvement Center (EPIC) Report

'XULQJ�WKH�����������DFDGHPLF�VFKRRO�\HDU��'U��'DYLG�&RQOH\�DQG�KLV�WHDP�IURP�(3,&�FRQGXFWHG�D�´GHHS�GLYHµ�HYDOXDWLRQ�RQ�7KH�5RDGWULS�1DWLRQ�([SHULHQFH�LQ�WKUHH�6DQ�-RVH�8QLILHG�6FKRRO�'LVWULFW�3/86�$FDGHPLHV��7KLV�PXOWL�PHWKRG�HYDOXDWLRQ�SURMHFW�XVHG�WKH�:LOOLDP�DQG�)ORUD�+HZOHWW�)RXQGDWLRQ·V�'HHSHU�/HDUQLQJ�5XEULF�WR�answer the question:

How and to what extent does The Roadtrip Nation Experience foster students’ Deeper Learning?

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Mastering core academic content;

Engaging in expanding structure of knowledge;

Thinking critically and solving complex problems;

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Learning how to learn.

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